Hat brim curling device



Feb. 20, 1951 w, c, GRIFFlNG 2,542,811

HAT BRIM CURLING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG; .5.

V a INVENTOR B WILL/AM C. GR/FF/NG A 7' TORNEV Feb. 20, 1951 w. C.GRIFFING HAT BRIM CURLING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1947lNl/EN TOR W/L L IAM C. GR/FF/NG W A T TORNEV Feb. 20, 1951 w. c,GRIFFlNG 2,542,811

HAT BRIM CURLING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 //vv/v TORWILL/AM C. GR/FF/NG ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1951 Filed March 29, 1947 w. c.GRIFFING 2,542,811

HAT BRIM CURLING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 4.

/N I/E N TOR W WILL /AM a GR/FF/NG A T TORNEV Patented Feb. 20, i951UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 2,542,811 HAT BRIM CURLING DEVICE WilliamC. Griffing, Danbury, Conn. Application March .29, 1947, Serial No.738,113

This invention relates to a device for curling the edges of a soft felthat brim. p

An object of this invention is to provide a device for curling the edgeof a soft felt hat brim wherein means is provided for simultaneouslyfeeding the brim portion of a hat and imparting a predetermined amountof curl thereto. I

Another object of this invention is to provide in a device of thecharacter described, adjustable means for positioning a hat on thedevice, means for feeding an edge portion of the brim of said hat, saidfeeding means simultaneously curling a predetermined portion ofsaid-brim edge, and means for heating the. curled brim edge while it ismoving through the device to fix the curl therein. f

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a hat brim curlingdevice, adjustable means for determining the extent of the curl to beimparted to the brim edge, means for disen gageably engaging the edge 01said hat brim for curlin and frictionally feeding said edge, means forheating and fixing the curl, in said brim edge and adjustable rotatablemeans for pressingthe curled edge portion against said heating-means,

Still another object of this inventionis to provide in a hat brim edgecurling device, means for simultaneously feeding and curling said, hatbrim edge, and meansfor pressing the curled brim por tion into contactwith a heated member, wherein said feeding means and Said pressing meansare connected to a single driving means- Yet a further object of thisinvention is to provide in a hat brim edgecurlingdevice, means forpermitting the presentation, of. the, hat brim to the edge curlingportion of the devicein a manner to produce either a downward or upwardcurl in the brim edge. Another object of thisinvention is to provide astrong, compact durable hat brim edge curling device of the characterdescribed, which shall be relatively inexpensive to. manufacture, easyto manipulate and yet is practical and eflicient toe high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in' part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in. which is shown various possibleillustrative em od ments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of the device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Fig. l v

Fig. l is a rear elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; 'IFig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line ,5-S of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional View taken on the line L-J of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is an'elevational view of the heater portion of the deviceembodying the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, Hi designates 'a hat brim edgecurling device embodying the invention. The same comprises a base plateH having side edges l2, l3 and end edges l4, l5 and having legs I labolted to the corners thereof for supporting the plate in spacedrelation to a base surface. The base plate II is formed'with a centrallylocated large circular opening 16, the peripheral edge of the openingbeing formed with circumferentially spaced shoulder portions l1, tor thepurpose hereinafter appearing. The plate I! is further formed with athrough opening 18 disposed between the openi rig l6. and the end edget4.

Spaced inwardly from the end edge Id of the plate I l and disposedintermediate the side edges [land I3 is an offset bracket IS. Thebracket i9 comprises a leg portion 20 suitably screwed to the plate I I.A vertical wall portion 2! extends upwardly from the leg l8 and ahorizontal wall portion 22 extends from vertical wall portion 2|,parallel to the plate I! and in offset relation to plate 23 isremovablysecured to the upper surface of the horizontal wall .22. Theplate 23 is formed with a longitudinal slot 24 on its under surface, forthe purpose hereinafter appearing. A vertically extending shaft 25 isdisposed in the opening IS in the plate I!.. One endof the shaft 25 issuitably journaled in the under portion of the horizontal wall 22 of thebracket 49. Secured on th shaft 25 and disposed between the horizontalwall 22. and the plate I i, is a forming member 25. The forming member,which lies adjacent the plate ll, comprises a hub portion 21' having acurved concave periphery which is formed with vertically extendingcorrugated portions 28 and parallel. rim portions 29.

Means is provided for rotating the member 26.

the leg 20 and disposed over the opening 13. A

3 To this end the other end portion of the shaft 25 which projectsthrough the opening I8 in the plate II, has secured thereto a gear 30. Ashaft 3I extending longitudinally of the plate II towards the end edgeI4 thereof, is suitably journalled in a bracket 3Ia secured to the undersurface of the plate II. A worm gear 32, which meshes with the gear 39,is secured at one end'of the shaft 3|. The other end of the shaft 3|,which projects beyond the edge I4 of the plate II, has secured thereto apulley 33 which may be connected by belting 34 to a motor, not shown. a

A gear 34a is mounted on the shaft 3i, adjacent the pulley 33, for thepurpose hereinafter appearing.

Mounted in the slot 24 of the plate 23 for slidable movement, is a rod35. Secured to one end of the rod 35 is a member 36 which coacts withthe forming member 26.. The member 36 comprises a vertically extendingshaft 31 rotatably mounted on the end of rod 35. Secured to the otherend ofshaft 3I is a circular disc 38 which is adapted to interfitbetween the rim portions of the forming member 26. The disc 38 comprisesa convex peripheral edge portion 39- complementary to the curved portionof the hub 21 and is formed with vertically extending indentations Theother end'of the slidable rod 35 has secured thereto an extension Mwhich extends slightly beyond the edge I4 of the plate Ii. A collar 42is mounted on the extension 4| and is positioned by means of a cotterpin 43 passing through the extension. A coiled spring 44 mounted on theextension ii is disposed between the collar 42 and the end of the plate23.

Means is provided to actuate the slidable rod 35. To this end, a controlarm 45 which extends the length of the plate II and projects beyondeither end thereof, is mounted in spaced relation to the undersurface ofthe plate by means of a bracket 46 adjacent the edge I5 of the plate.The bracket Misupports the forward end of control arm 45. The other endof the control arm 45, projecting beyond edge I4 of plate II com-.prises a horizontal portion 46a extending atright angles thereto andsupported in spaced brackets 47, 48, secured to the'under side of theplate II adjacent the edge I4. The .arm portion 46a extends towards theshaft 3i and has extending from the end thereof an upwardly extendingportion 49. The arm portion 49 has secured thereto a member 58.. Theextension M on the slidable rod 35 is pivotally secured to the member 50by a pivot pin 58a whereby pivoted movement of the arm 45 will impartslidable movement to the rod 35 through arm portions 46a and 49.Extending downwardly from arm portion 460:. isan arm 5I. The lower endof arm 5| is interconnected to a portion of bracket 3Ia. by a. coiledspring 52.

Removably mounted in the opening I6 in plate II, is a circular plate 53formed with shoulder portions 54 which are complementary to theshoulders i'i extending from the opening. The

circular plate 58 has an upper surface which is flush with theuppersurface of the plate II. A

projecting member 55 is screwed to the under- 58. A slidable crown guidemember 59 is mounted on the plate 53 by means of the screw 58. The guidemember 59 comprises a pair of similar, parallel members 68interconnected at their outer ends by a member BI and at their innerends by an upstanding head 62 having an arcuate outer surface 63. Themembers 68 are formed on their inner edges with longitudinally extendinggrooves 64. A collar member 65 spans the members 68, being slidablymounted in the grooves 64 thereof. The collar 65 is formed with athrough opening 66 through which the screw 58 passes to be screwed intothe threaded opening 5! in plate 53. It is apparent from a considerationof Fig. 2, the guide member 59 may be moved into any desired positionand fixed there by means of the screw 58.

Guidemeans is provided for positioning the brim edge of a hat in advanceof the feeding and curling operations. To this end there is provided arectangular shaped bracket 61 which is screwed to the top of the plateII and is disposed between the bracket 28 and th edge I3 of the plateII. An upstanding triangular shaped wall member 68 extends from one endof the bracket 61 and is disposed angularly with respect to the innerend of the bracket. The wall member 68 is curved, with the apex portion69 thereof extendin towards the edge I3 of plate II. The verticallyextending side I8 of the member 68, opposite the apexportion 69, isdisposed adjacent the pulley forming member 26. The member 68 is formedwith a. vertically extending, open ended slot II in axial alignment withthe bracket 61. An L- shaped bracket 12 has a leg I3 thereof screwed toa central portion of the bracket 61. Theupstanding portion of thebracket I2 comprises a pair of spaced lugs 14 on which is mounted apivot pin I5. A lever I6 is mounted on the pivot pin I5 with one arm 11thereof projecting through the slot II in wall 68. The arm 11 of thelever IB-terminates in a downwardly extending finger I8 which isdisposed adjacent the inner surface of the wall member 68. The other armI9 of the lever 16 has a thickened end portion 89 which is formed with athrough opening through which passes the upper end of an upstandingthreaded stud 8I, secured to a rear portion of the bracket 61. A coiledspring 82 is mounted on the stud BI and is disposed between the bracket61 and the thickened portion of the arm 19. A knurled nut 83 screwedonto the upper projecting portion of the stud 8| and bearing against theupper surface of the thickened portion 80 of the arm I9, is adapted,upon rotation in either direction, to pivot the lever I6 about the pinI5, thereb determining the position of the finger I8 relative to thebase plate I I. V

Means is provided for heating and pressing the curled edge of the brimas it advanced from the curling means. To this end an offset bracket 84is disposed between the forming member 26 and the plate edge ll. Thebracket 84 comprises a leg 85 screwed to the plate II. Extendingupwardly from leg 85, is a member 86, from which extends ahorizontalmember 81 which is offset with respect to leg 85. A vertically slidableblock 88 is mounted on the bracket 84 for movement forward and away fromthe plateII. The block 88 comprises a vertical edge portion 89 which isin slidable contact with the member 86 and an upper edge. 90 including anotchedportion9I which is complementary to the horizontal member 81 ofthe bracket 84. The block 88 is, formed with a vertically extendingthreaded recess 92 3-. .A device for curling the peripheral portion ofthe brim of a hat body having abrim and crown, comprising a pair ofannular members having complementary surfaces of curved transverse crosssection receiving the, said peripheral portion therebetween, saidmembers being rotate able about parallel axes, means to rotate one-ofsaid members, for feeding said brim, and heated means to received saidcurled periphery portion as said brim is fed to fix the curl, saidheating means comprising a member having a grooveto received a saidcurled portion, and means to keep the curled portion moving Within saidgroove during the curling operation.

4. A devicefor curling the peripheral portion of the brim of a hat bodyhaving a brim and crown, comprising a pair of annular members havingcomplementary surfaces of curved trans verse cross section receivingsaid peripheral portion therebetween, said members being rotatable aboutparallel axes, means to rotate one of said members for feeding saidbrim, means to move one of said members toward or away from the other toeither frictionally grip said brim portion or release the same,respectively, and heating means to receive said curled peripheralportion as said brim is fed, to fix the curl, said heating meanscomprising a member having a groove to receive said portion and means tokeep the curled portion moving within said groove during the curlingoperation.

5. In a device for curling the peripheral portion of the brim of a softhat body comprising complementary concave and convex means tofrictionally grip the peripheral portion of the brim therebetween, andfeed said brim to curl the same, and heated means to receive said curledperipheral portion as said brim is fed, to fix the curl, saidheating'means comprising a member having a groove to receive said curledportion, and means to keep the curled portion moving within said grooveduring the curling operation. 7

6. A hat body brim edge curling device com prising a base plate on whicha hat having a brim may bepositioned, means on said plate forfrictionally feeding an edge portion of the hat brim, said feeding meansbeing shaped to curl the edge of said brim, a heated member on saidplate, said heated member comprising a grooved portion for receiving thecurled edge of said brim and adapted to fix said curl in said brim, andmeans for pressing said brirnwhile advancing through said groovedportion.

7. A device for curling the brim of a hat body, having a crown and brim,comprising a base on which the hat body may be mounted, means on thebase for feeding and curling the peripheral portion of the brim, meansfor fixing the curl in said brim, said fixing means comprising a mei berformed with a groove so positioned that the curled portion of the brimwill pass therethrough upon leaving the feeding and curling means, andmeans for heating said member.

8. A device for curling the brim ofa hat body, having a crown and brim,comprising a base on which the hat body may be mounted, means on thebase for feeding and curling the peripheral portion of the brim, meansfor fixing the curl in said brim, said fixing means comprisinga memberformed with a groove so positioned that the curled portion of the brimwill pass therethrough upon leaving the feeding and curling means, meansfor heating said member, and means adapted toengage the inner surface ofthe curled portion ofthe brim and press said curled portion against thegroove in said heated member.

9. A device for curling the brim of a hat body, having a crown and brim,comprising a base on which the hat body may be mounted, means on berformed with a groove so positioned that the curled portion of the brimwill pass therethrough upon leaving the feeding and curling I means,means for heating said member, means adapted to engage the inner surfaceof the curled portion of the brim and press said curled portion againstthegroove'in said heated member, said engaging means comprising a rotarydisc, and means to rotatesaid disc. H j a q 10'. A device for curlingthe brim of a hat body, having a crown and brim, comprising a base onwhich the hat. body may be mounted, means on the basefor feeding andcurling the peripheral portion of the brim, means for fixing the curl insaid brim, said fixing means comprising a member formed with a groove sopositioned that the curled portion of the brim will pass therethroughupon leaving the feeding and curling means, means for heating saidmember, means adapted to engage the inner surface of the curled portionof the brim and press said curled portion against the groove in saidheated member, said engaging means comprising a rotary disc, means torotate said disc, and means to adjust the position of said disc in thedirection of the axis thereof.

11. A device for curling the brim of a hat body, having a crown andbrim, comprising a base on which the hat body may be mounted, means onthe base for feeding and curling the peripheral portion of the brim, andguide means on the base to engage the inner surface of the crown of thehat in advance of the curling and feeding means, guide means to engagethe outer end edge of the brim in advance of the curling and feedingmeans, and located opposite the first mentioned guide means, and heatingmeans to receive said curled peripheral portion as said brim is fed,-to

fix the curl, said heating means comprising a member having a groove toreceive said curled portion, and means to keep a curled portion movingwithin said groove during the curling operation.

12. A device for curling the brim of a hat body,

having a crown and brim, comprising a base on which the hat body may bemounted, means on the base for feeding and curling the peripheralportion of the brim, guide means on the base to the base for feeding andcurling the peripheral portion of thebrim, guide means on the base toengage the inner surface of the crown of the hat in advance of'thecurling and feeding means, guide means to engage the outer end edgeof the brim in advance of the curling and feeding means, and locatedopposite the first mentioned guide means, and means to limit the heightof the curl of the peripheral portion of the brimsaid last means beingadjustable as to its spacing from the base.

14. A device for curling the peripheral portion of the brim of a softhat body having a crown and a brim, comprising a base having an openingadapted to receive the crown, so that the hat body may be mountedthereon with the crown projecting down through said opening and with thebrim on said base, a plate to cover said opening whereby the hat may beplaced on the base with the crown projecting upwardly, and a singlemeans for curling and feeding the periphery of the brim of the hat, beit placed on the base in either of the above mentioned positions.

WILLIAM C. GRIFFING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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